Democrats want details of cloning laws review

The Federal Government is being called on to release more details about a review of legislation governing stem cell research and cloning.

Prime Minister John Howard has chosen not to extend a three-year moratorium on the use of excess IVF embryos in stem cell research.

The moratorium was set up in 2002 to allow more time to debate the ethics and possible regulation of the use of excess IVF embryos.

Democrats spokesperson for science and biotechnology, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, says the Government must now reveal who will be involved in a review of relevant legislation at the end of the year.

"The Government has been stalling," she said.

"We're yet to hear the terms of reference, we're yet to hear who's on that committee inquiring into the legislation and once we hear the findings, then people can look to possible changes to the law but not before then."

Since the time the moratorium was set up, the states have introduced uniform laws governing the use of such embryos.

The national laws include a ban on creation of embryos specifically for scientific purposes.

The New South Wales Government says the Prime Minister's views on whether stem cell research should be restricted have been overtaken by state law.

New South Wales Minister for Medical Research, Frank Sartor, says the states forced the Prime Minister to back down.

"There is a consensus, there was a conscience vote in all Parliaments," he said.

"This was weighted up by everyone. People of goodwill throughout the country and two thirds of Parliamentarians pretty much voted for this approach."

However, the Australian licence holders in the field of stem cell research say their licences still restrict them from using human embryos.

They say the end of the moratorium will only affect groups seeking a new licence.